Successfully navigating 2012

Time has flown and even though we feel like 2012 has only just begun, we've already passed Easter!

Here at Umtha, then, we must be having fun. New ranges, new staff, new export countries, new babies… we are kept continually on our toes.

Mzanzi & Allsorts

Cheryl, being her usual creative self, has been stepping out of boxes in creating our latest ranges – Mzanzi Radiance and Ethnic Allsorts.

Mzanzi Radiance takes a look at our vibrant country, incorporating its maximum colour, style and texture. Lucy’s handmade ceramic beads from her base in Tambo Square have been included, as have local wireworker John’s silver earring chandeliers. Cheryl has brought in ostrich eggshell shapes from up the Garden Route in Oudtshoorn. Umtha regularly sources from the APD where physically disadvantaged people are trained in shaping the eggshells. Add pigskin suede, lava beads, a couple of Nkosi Sikeleli pendants, and you’ve got yourself a range of jewellery bursting with enticing Mzanzi-ness! 

Ethnic Allsorts follows on from Umtha’s success in combining earthy African colours and texture into classy all-occasions jewellery. This extensive range of necklaces, bracelets and earrings incorporates elements of wood, bone, animal skin fimo, lava beads and more. There is bound to be a match for every personality in Umtha’s new Allsorts offering. Take a look at our website to view these ranges.

Checked out to Czech

Umtha's export reach has recently expanded to Czech Republic. A new customer there has placed an order including many of our new 'Nkosi Sikeleli Africa' pieces from the Mzanzi Radiance range. Who knew that a faraway European country would be interested in these? It seems that everyone still wants a piece of Africa! 

Staff matters

Umtha's Admin Manager, Cathy Kerr (left), recently resigned after seven years of excellent service. We appreciated her strong commitment and 'always going the extra mile' attitude. We wish her well for her future plans in retirement and know that she will have many adventures locally and abroad. Cathy will be thoroughly missed.

Umtha welcomes Zaidah Solomons as her replacement. Zaidah is already an invaluable asset and part of the Umtha team. She is married with two children.

It is Finally Here – 2010 Kick Off

They say music is the universal language but one only has to look around to see that sport truly transcends all cultures, gender, languages, ages and back grounds. The Soccer World Cup has brought together people from different parts of the world, united in one pursuit...victory! Taking that ‘cup’ home, and in South Africa’s case, making sure it stays home!

One thing we can thank FIFA for as businesses, other than the anticipated increase in revenue in certain industries and the exposure this tournament brings; is the intangible benefits of increased staff morale. Anticipation is in the air, staff are buoyant and excited and who can begrudge them a little fun in the work place.

Among the soccer celebrations, Umtha is also celebrating the birthdays of two of our Umtha team members. Mother and son, born on the same day of the year; Jostina Dubase and Luxolo Dubase. Happy Birthday Jostina and Luxolo, you are both appreciated and valued at Umtha. We wish you many more!

Soccer Fevah!

South Africa has been gripped by soccer fevah!... and Umtha is no exception, we can feel it! At Umtha we are also gearing up for the soccer world cup and have taken to wearing the Bafana Bafana soccer jerseys, every Friday in support.

Some of the Umtha staff in their Bafana Bafana t-shirts.

Friday the 11th of July Umtha will be closing at 1pm to give our staff time off to also enjoy the 2010 World Cup Opening. Laduuuuuma!!!

Fair Trade Day 2010

As Fair Trade Day comes round again we are reminded of what Fair Trade means and what it’s all about. One would not be mistaken in thinking that Fair Trade is just about encouraging ethical and fair trade practises. This is indeed a big part of it, but it is just a part of it.
As Umtha participated in the Fair Trade Day, on the 8th of May at the Tokai Farmers Market, it was just one of the many companies worldwide, standing for and promoting the standards of Fair Trade.

World Fair Trade Day at the Tokai Market

Promoting Fair Trade is not just about encouraging ethical business, it means embracing and upholding a certain standard of business such that it becomes the fabric of who you are as a company and as a people. Such standards include;
· Creating opportunities for economically disadvantaged producers.

Artisan giving a practical demo

· Transparency and accountability.
· Capacity building.
· Promoting Fair Trade.
· Payment of a fair price.
· Better environmental practises.
· Long term trade relations based on solidarity, trust and mutual respect.

Representatives from the various arms of the Fair Trade Organisation.

· Gender equity
· Safe and healthy working conditions
· Respect and adherence of child labour laws.

Basically Fair Trade is about putting the 'heart' back into business!

With these standards ingrained in our businesses, Umtha and few other companies such as African Home, Bean There/Back to Africa, Waxit, and Township Patterns celebrated Fair Trade day together, to remind each other why we do this and hopefully raise awareness and encourage other companies to do the same.

Umtha Jewellery & Township Patterns

We had the exhibit at the Tokai farmers market, a lovely location that reflects some of the beauty of the Western Cape. It was a beautiful day, as the rain let up and the sun broke through the clouds to make it the perfect day for an outdoor market.

What will the year 2010 hold for Umtha?

That is indeed the question on all our minds. What will this year hold for my business, my family, for myself? We begin the year with a sigh of relief that we made it through the precarious economic climate of 2009 and now we look forward with anticipation to whats ahead.

At Umtha it is business as usual, we wish you our valued customers and partners a happy and successful new year! We look forward to working together in 2010 and into the future.

On the local arena, we prepare for the 2010 Soccer World Cup. As South Africans we are proud to be hosting this historic event. So...like the rest of the world, we at Umtha wait to see how 2010 will unfold. We however do not wait idly but 'we put our hands to the plough', knowing that good fortune will smile on those who keep their hands busy.

Umtha Closed: 11th December 2009 - 11th January 2010

Umtha will be closed for the festive season from the 11th of December 2009 till the 11th of January 2010. Please note any orders received during this period will only be attended to when we re-open in January. Thank you for all your continued support, we wish you a fun-filled festive season.

End Of Year At Umtha

Umtha comes to the end of 2009, jubilant and excited for what’s ahead. This year Umtha marked the end of year with a staff party at our business premises.It was a relaxed and fun time were we all let out hair down, danced , ate plenty of delicious treats and played some fun games.

2009 was marked with a few significant events. One of them was the hiring of two new staff members, Cynthia Mangaba as HR Manager/ PA to MD and Nazlie Ramjam as Head Stock Controller, they have been a wonderful addition to the Umtha Team.

2009 also saw Umtha receive one of its biggest orders to date. This proved to be a huge learning curve for the company and has hopefully opened doors for more of the same in 2010. The order led to a huge surge in our staff, with a temporary staff growing to 30 employees over a three month period. Thus further strengthening our vision and passion of job creation for the underprivileged and refugees in our community.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all your support, big and small throughout the year. We trust that we shall continue to partner together and support each other in our various endeavours into the future. Umtha would also like to wish you a fun-filled, joyful and restful festive season.